Riley Given is a nominee to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region V from the University of Central Missouri Theatre Dance fall production of THE PROM.

Riley will represent UCM Theatre & Dance in the Iren Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition during the annual festival in Des Moines, IA this January.

In case you are wondering Irene Ryan, was an American actress and comedienne who found success in vaudeville, radio, film, television, and Broadway. She is most widely known for her portrayal of Daisy May "Granny" Moses, mother-in-law of Buddy Ebsen's character Jed Clampett on the long-running TV series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971). She was nominated for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1963 and 1964 for the role.

Hundreds of students from around the Midwest will be competing for scholarships during the competition. Riley returned home to Mexico recently returned home and was a judge at the annual "War of the Words" Speech and Debate Tournament held at the Mexico High School on Saturday, Dec. 3.

"During the competition in Iowa I will be performing two contrasting monologues. I hope to show versatility and chemistry with other actors in the two monologues said Given". .  Many Mexico Ledger readers may remember Riley as extremely accomplished student from the Mexico High School speech and debate program. He was a 2020 MHS graduate, a National Speech and Debate Academic All-American, qualified for state in one-act plays all four years at MHS just to name a few.

Riley Given is the son of Sara and Robert Given of Mexico. Sara teaches English, Speech, and Theatre at the Mexico High School.